Apostrophe Mark Definition, Rules, Usage, and Examples in English

The apostrophe mark is a punctuation mark in English grammar. In this lesson, we will explore the definition of an apostrophe mark, its rules and usage, and their helpful examples in English. Learn the entire lesson and enhance your English grammar skills. So, let’s get started:

Apostrophe Mark Definition

An apostrophe is a punctuation mark (‘) used primarily in English to indicate possession or to show the omission of letters or numbers.

Usage of Apostrophe Mark

Possession:
- Singular Possession: Add an apostrophe and an “s” to the singular noun.
  - Example: The cat’s tail.
- Plural Possession: Add an apostrophe after the “s” for plural nouns ending in “s,” or add an apostrophe and an “s” for other plural nouns.
  - Example: The dogs’ leashes.
Contractions:
- Used to indicate the contraction of words by replacing omitted letters.
  - Example: It’s (it is) a beautiful day.
Plural of Letters and Numbers:
- Use an apostrophe to form the plural of single letters and numbers.
  - Example: Mind your p’s and q’s.

Rules for the Apostrophe Mark:

Avoid Contractions in Formal Writing:
- In formal writing, avoid using contractions. Instead of “it’s,” use “it is.”
Avoid Apostrophes in Plural Forms:
- Do not use apostrophes to form the plurals of regular nouns (e.g., DVDs, 1980s).
Its vs. It’s:
- “Its” indicates possession, while “it’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.”

Examples:

Possession:
- The teacher’s book is on the desk.
- The students’ project was impressive.
Contractions:
- He can’t attend the meeting.
- She’s going to the store.
Plural of Letters and Numbers:
- She earned all A’s in her report card.
- Mind your 7’s and 8’s.

When to Use Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used in the English language for specific purposes. Here are the main situations when you should use apostrophes:

1. Possession:

To indicate ownership or possession of an item.
Examples:
- The cat’s tail.
- John’s car is parked outside.

2. Contractions:

To indicate the omission of letters in contractions.
Examples:
- It’s (it is) a beautiful day.
- Don’t (do not) forget to call me.

3. Plural of Letters and Numbers:

To form the plural of single letters and numbers.
Examples:
- Mind your p’s and q’s.
- The 1980s were a vibrant time.

4. Time Expressions:

In time expressions to indicate omitted figures.
Example:
- The class of ’92.

5. Words with Unusual Plurals:

For words with unusual plurals.
Example:
- He collected two dozen bee’s knees.

6. Joint Possession:

When two or more people own something together.
Example:
- Tom and Mary’s house is beautiful.

7. Indicate Missing Letters in Informal Writing:

In informal writing, apostrophes can be used to indicate missing letters in words.
Example:
- I’m (I am) going to the store.

8. Avoiding Ambiguity:

To avoid confusion or ambiguity in certain expressions.
Example:
- Mind your p’s and q’s.

9. Avoiding Double Letters:

In certain cases, to avoid double letters.
Example:
- He’s an expert in do’s and don’ts.

Things to Avoid:

Plurals: Avoid using apostrophes to form the plurals of regular nouns (e.g., DVDs, 1980s).
Contractions in Formal Writing: In formal writing, contractions may be avoided.

When not to use apostrophes

There are specific situations when you should avoid using apostrophes in the English language. Here are some instances when you should not use apostrophes:

1. Plurals:

Do not use apostrophes to form the plurals of regular nouns.
Incorrect: The dog’s are playing in the yard.
Correct: The dogs are playing in the yard.

2. Pronouns:

Do not use apostrophes with possessive pronouns like “its,” “yours,” “theirs,” and “ours.”
Incorrect: Your’s is on the table.
Correct: Yours is on the table.

3. Plural Abbreviations and Acronyms:

Plurals of abbreviations and acronyms do not require an apostrophe.
Incorrect: There are three DVD’s on the shelf.
Correct: There are three DVDs on the shelf.

4. Dates and Decades:

When indicating a span of years or decades, do not use an apostrophe before the “s.”
Incorrect: The 1990’s were a time of change.
Correct: The 1990s were a time of change.

5. Times and Measurements:

Do not use an apostrophe with plurals of time or measurements.
Incorrect: I have two cup’s of coffee.
Correct: I have two cups of coffee.

6. Verb Forms:

Do not use an apostrophe to indicate verb forms.
Incorrect: He run’s fast.
Correct: He runs fast.

7. In Possessive Pronouns:

Possessive pronouns (e.g., hers, theirs, its) do not use apostrophes.
Incorrect: The book is her’s.
Correct: The book is hers.

8. Plurals in Names:

Do not use apostrophes to make names plural.
Incorrect: The Smith’s are coming over.
Correct: The Smiths are coming over.

9. General Plurals:

Do not use apostrophes for general plurals.
Incorrect: I have two cat’s.
Correct: I have two cats.

10. Avoiding Ambiguity:

In certain cases, using an apostrophe can create ambiguity, so it’s best to rephrase the sentence.
Ambiguous: The boys’ school bags are heavy.
Clearer: The school bags of the boys are heavy.

11. Avoiding Double Letters:

Generally, do not use apostrophes to avoid double letters.
Incorrect: He’s an expert in do’s and don’t’s.
Correct: He’s an expert in dos and don’ts.

Apostrophe in Contractions

An apostrophe is commonly used in contractions to indicate the omission of one or more letters. Contractions are shortened forms of words or phrases that combine two words, and the apostrophe shows where letters have been removed. Here are some examples:

Can’t (cannot): The apostrophe represents the omission of the “no” in “cannot.”
Don’t (do not): The apostrophe replaces the omitted letters “o” in “do” and “no” in “not.”
I’m (I am): The apostrophe stands in for the omitted letter “a” in “am.”

Apostrophe in Possessive Nouns

The use of an apostrophe in possessive nouns is a common punctuation rule in English. When indicating possession or ownership, you generally add an apostrophe followed by an “s” to the noun. Here are a few examples:

Singular Nouns:
- Mary’s car
- the dog’s leash
- the cat’s food
Plural Nouns not ending in “s”:
- children’s toys
- women’s rights
- people’s opinions
Plural Nouns ending in “s”:
- students’ books
- companies’ policies
- birds’ nests

Apostrophe in Possessive Pronouns

In English, possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes. Possessive pronouns indicate ownership or possession and already incorporate the possessive form within the pronoun itself. Here are the possessive pronouns without apostrophes:

Mine: That book is mine.
Yours: Is this pen yours?
His: The car is parked in the driveway; it’s his.
Hers: The cat is hers.
Its: The dog wagged its tail.

Plural Possessive Apostrophe

The plural possessive form is used when you are indicating that something belongs to more than one person or thing. To form the plural possessive, you generally add an apostrophe after the plural form of the noun.

For regular plurals: Add an apostrophe after the “s.”
- Examples:
  - Girls’ toys (toys belonging to multiple girls)
  - Dogs’ leashes (leashes belonging to multiple dogs)
For irregular plurals that do not end in “s”: Add an apostrophe and an “s.”
- Examples:
  - Children’s books (books belonging to multiple children)
  - Men’s clothing (clothing for multiple men)

It’s important to note that if the plural form of the noun already ends in “s,” you only need to add an apostrophe without an additional “s.”

Example:
- The teachers’ lounge (lounge belonging to multiple teachers)

Common Apostrophe Errors

Apostrophes are commonly misused in written English. Here are some common apostrophe errors and how to avoid them:

Incorrect use in plural nouns:
- Incorrect: “I have two cat’s.”
- Correct: “I have two cats.”
Incorrect use in possessive pronouns:
- Incorrect: “Its a beautiful day.”
- Correct: “It’s a beautiful day.”
Incorrect use in possessive forms of nouns:
- Incorrect: “The dog’s tail wagged.”
- Correct: “The dog’s tail wagged.”
Incorrect use with it is and it has:
- Incorrect: “Its been a long day.”
- Correct: “It’s been a long day.”
Incorrect use in plural abbreviations and acronyms:
- Incorrect: “I collected DVD’s.”
- Correct: “I collected DVDs.”
Incorrect use with decades:
- Incorrect: “I love the music from the 80’s.”
- Correct: “I love the music from the 80s.”
Incorrect use in contractions:
- Incorrect: “Dont worry, I’ll fix it.”
- Correct: “Don’t worry, I’ll fix it.”
Incorrect use in possessive forms with names ending in “s”:
- Incorrect: “Charles’ car is blue.”
- Correct: “Charles’s car is blue.”
Incorrect use in plural possessives:
- Incorrect: “The childrens toys are scattered.”
- Correct: “The children’s toys are scattered.”
Incorrect use in dates:
- Incorrect: “I was born in the 1980’s.”
- Correct: “I was born in the 1980s.”

Apostrophe Quiz

Here’s an apostrophe quiz with 20 examples. In each sentence, identify whether the apostrophe is used correctly or incorrectly. If it’s incorrect, suggest the correct usage.

The cats tail was fluffy.
Im going to the store after work.
Its a beautiful day outside.
The dogs leash was too short.
Shes always on time for meetings.
The childrens toys were scattered everywhere.
Dont forget to bring your umbrella.
Johns car is in the shop for repairs.
Were excited about the upcoming event.
The Smiths house is on the corner.
Can you believe its almost the weekend?
My parents anniversary is next week.
The girls dresses were all different colors.
Hes going to the party with us.
The mens basketball team won the championship.
Whos going to pick up the groceries?
Its important to stay hydrated during hot weather.
Did you see the babys cute smile?
The teachers lounge is off-limits to students.
Theres a book on the shelf with a torn cover.

Feel free to answer each question, and I’ll let you know if you’re correct!

Apostrophes Exercise with Answers

Here are 20 examples of apostrophe exercises, along with their answers:

Exercise 1: Add apostrophes where necessary.

The cat bed is comfortable.
- Answer: The cat’s bed is comfortable.
The children toys are scattered everywhere.
- Answer: The children’s toys are scattered everywhere.
The car engine is not working.
- Answer: The car’s engine is not working.
The students notebooks are on the desk.
- Answer: The students’ notebooks are on the desk.
My friends house is painted blue.
- Answer: My friend’s house is painted blue.

Exercise 2: Identify and correct the apostrophe errors.

The dogs bowl is empty.
- Answer: The dog’s bowl is empty.
Shes going to her friends party tonight.
- Answer: She’s going to her friend’s party tonight.
Johns favorite book is on the shelf.
- Answer: John’s favorite book is on the shelf.
The girls dresses are all pink.
- Answer: The girls’ dresses are all pink.
Its a beautiful day outside.
- Answer: It’s a beautiful day outside.

Exercise 3: Choose the correct form of the apostrophe.

The dogs tail wagged happily.
- Answer: The dog’s tail wagged happily.
Its time for lunch.
- Answer: It’s time for lunch.
The childrens play was fantastic.
- Answer: The children’s play was fantastic.
We enjoyed the girls performance.
- Answer: We enjoyed the girls’ performance.
The mens shoes are on sale.
- Answer: The men’s shoes are on sale.

Exercise 4: Rewrite the sentences with possessive nouns.

The book that belongs to the teacher is on the shelf.
- Answer: The teacher’s book is on the shelf.
The house that belongs to my parents is large.
- Answer: My parents’ house is large.
The car that belongs to Jake is fast.
- Answer: Jake’s car is fast.
The garden that belongs to the Smiths is well-maintained.
- Answer: The Smiths’ garden is well-maintained.
The project that belongs to the team is almost complete.
- Answer: The team’s project is almost complete.